Fashion is one of the major forms of self-expression in the world, and while many may not see it as such, it is more than just clothing. Fashion is a veritable art form due to its use of materials, patterns, colours and designs, which have changed constantly throughout the years. However, if you believe people have only started to care about fashion relatively recently, you might be surprised to discover that that’s not true.
In fact, people have cared about clothing since the dawn of civilisation, and historians have closely studied the role of garments within societies. Making assessments based on the choice of clothing and adornments found on burial sites can offer a clear indication of the deceased individual’s age, status and social position and can even lead to important discoveries that change the perception of entire periods. For example, the discovery of the preserved remains of the Egtved Girl in Denmark in 1921 was a bit of a sensation among the public due to her distinctive outfit; a loose bodice with elbow-length sleeves which exposed her midriff, bronze bracelets, a woollen belt and a short string her. Unknown at the time, further analysis revealed that this style was standard among the inhabitants of Europe during the Bronze Age.
So, what are some of the defining trends that have changed the apparel environment throughout the centuries? How are they similar to the ones people shop for today, and what sets them apart?
Love for vintage
While developments in technology have allowed for automated processes in the fashion industry, which made new clothing much more accessible for the general public, as well as making the production process significantly shorter, there are downsides to the convenience. The emergence and continuous rise of fast fashion have meant that people bought way more clothing than they used to in the past. A lot of it only gets worn once before being tossed in the bin, contributing to a legitimate ecological disaster. In some cases, the clothing isn’t even worn, with a recent survey estimating that the British hold a whopping 1.6 billion pieces in their wardrobes that never saw the light of day.
Enter vintage clothing. In the past, getting more wear out of the pieces you owned was expected, and hand-me-downs were incredibly common. In fact, expensive elements such as fur jackets or leather boots could be passed down from generation to generation. Fast fashion changed this, albeit only for a short time. Over the years, the market for used clothes has become increasingly more appealing for people of all ages due to their sustainable character and the fact that it offers more opportunities for self-expression.
Love for all things vintage has expanded to include various classes of objects, including furniture and household appliances, oil paintings, cars and motorcycles. The market for secondhand motorbikes has developed so much that you should be aware of the safety requirements of riding one. If you’re involved in an accident, you can contact compensation claim specialists in the UK to get the justice you deserve so that you can move on from the event accordingly.
Distressed materials
Ripped denim is a classic. It goes well with anything and adds a touch of grunge rebelliousness to a fundamental piece. The trend has become so popular over the years that it’s not difficult to find dress shirts with distressed collars, wool jumpers with aesthetically placed tears, and even shoes specifically designed to look worn in. However, you might be surprised to hear that the evolution of this trend dates back to the 15th and 16th centuries. Back then, wealthy people slashed the sleeves of their richly decorated robes to show off the contrasting chemise underneath. This trend became so popular that it began to be used for shoes as well as clothing, and was so loved by the public that it remained popular for over one hundred years, although it’s worth remembering that fashion was much slower back in the day and trends didn’t change so often.
Corsets
The corset is a support garment that gained immense popularity and reached its ultimate form during the 19th century. It has undergone several changes from its initial state, which first emerged in the 16th century, to become the padded, steel-reinforced garment you probably associate with the British Victorian period. The corset was one of the first garments in the world to be mass produced, although they were generally cheaper and considered to be of poorer quality than the ones sewn by hand. In England during the days of the British Empire, the corset took on meanings pertaining to personal morality. The women who didn’t wear a corset were considered to have loose morals and be of ill-repute compared to the ones who were straitlaced.
While dress reform, the emergence of universal suffrage, and the development of elastic brassieres in the 1920s caused the corset to fall from grace in its use in a daily fashion, it has survived as a costume article. Although traditionally a lingerie item that wouldn’t have been worn visibly, it has since become one of the most important representatives of the “underwear as outerwear trend”. Today, it is used to elevate simple pairs of trousers or skirts and give them a theatrical flair, but it is also a quintessential piece among members of different groups with a particular style, such as the Goth subculture.
The bottom line
Although there’s no denying that trends change a lot, it is just as accurate that they tend to return to the market after a few decades, if not less. The flared trousers that were everywhere in the 70s, wearing silk pyjamas in a public setting like in the 1920s and the mini-skirts of the 60s (although there are instances of short skirts dating back to roughly 1390 BC according to archaeologists) are all trends that work just as well today as they did when they appeared. Recently, there has been a resurgence in the appeal for noughties fashion among the general public.
With micro trends becoming more frequent and changing at a growing speed, and the time before a style first emerged and it becoming popular again getting shorter, it’s perhaps time fashion focused more on durability and lasting impact. If history shows us anything, it is that you don’t have to choose beauty and practicality. You can have both.